I am a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have been called to serve in the Sacramento California Mission! This is my blog where you can follow my adventures for the next 18 months (January, 2013-June, 2014)
Did you know that Sacramento was the original place of the California Gold Rush? I'm so excited! See ya'll in 18 months, I'm going for spiritual Gold!

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Sacramento - Week 16

Due to the new security measures requested by the Mission leaders, the names of all investigators and people that Sarah comes into contact with will be replaced with the name of a well-known character from a children’s movie. This will keep the identities of people safe as well as make it easier to keep everyone straight. The name given is in NO WAY intended to reflect the personality, looks, or circumstances of the individual(s).


“ He cut off people’s arms ya’ll ”
Monday May 13. 2013 

Happy Day After Mother's Day to everyone! 
It was awesome talking to my family yesterday. I love y'all! Your faces made me smile. But now, onto missionary work. 
In case you were wondering what the title of this email is supposed to mean, no I did not get attacked by a crazy person cutting off arms. It's a reference to the story of Ammon from the Book of Mormon. Ammon was a missionary sent to preach the gospel to the Lamanites, the estranged brethren of Ammon's people, the Nephites. The Lamanites didn't really like Nephites, and tended to kill them. But Ammon went on his mission anyways. He was captured and taken before the king. Ammon told the king that all he wanted to do was to serve him. He was made the king's servant and put in charge of his flocks. Robbers came to steal the flocks and through the power of God Ammon was able to defeat this huge group of men all by himself. When they raised their clubs to smite him, Ammon cut off their arms. Because of this display of strength through the power of God, the king agreed to let Ammon teach him about who God was. The king repented and became a follower of Christ and so did many of his people. 
Well, we had Zone Conference this week and we talked about Ammon. We compared his style of missionary work to another example from the Book of Mormon: the Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s. These people made a covenant with God to never shed blood again. They buried their weapons of war and when the Lamanites came upon them in war, they let themselves be slaughtered instead of breaking their promise to God. When the Lamanites saw this, they wanted to know what made these people so willingly give up their lives. They were taught the gospel of Jesus Christ and were converted. 

These are two very different methods of missionary work. Ammon was a warrior while the Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s were peaceable even when it meant death, but both were effective missionary tools that brought thousands to repentance. These examples are extreme and missionary work today is VERY different (no arm cutting or massive slaughter) but the principle is that we are all individuals. We all have different ways of doing things. If God wanted all missionaries to be the same, He would have robots, not real people. So, when you feel like you aren't "The missionary type" remember that everyone is the missionary type! 
Me and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves!
These were in the backyard of someone we were doing
service for. Weird....but awesome!!!
I have a testimony of the power of service and love. We have been meeting with the Oompa-Loompa family for a while now. We never push them. We just love them and invite them to church and serve them whenever we can. The ward has done the same. Because of this, Brother Oompa-Loompa is becoming more interested in the church and he and his family have been to church the past 3 weeks in a row! He is reading the Book of Mormon and you can visibly see the change taking place in his life. It is such a blessing to be able to see him progress and grow closer to his Heavenly Father and to his Savior, Jesus Christ. It's only a matter of time before he agrees to let us teach him, and then he can prepare to be baptized and make those promises with God. 
I also have a testimony of the power of music. I've been able to use music SO much on my mission. Music is powerful. Good music brings the spirit instantaneously. President Willy-Wonka, the El Dorado Stake President, spoke at Zone Conference. First off, I love this guy! He is the best kind of Stake President for missionaries to work with. I know I can call him up any time and get help or guidance for the work here in Green Valley. He was talking to the missionaries at Zone Conference about the idea of "When someone sees you walking down the street, what song do they hear your heart singing? Even when you aren't actually singing out loud?" I turned to Sister Loli and said, "I think my heart is always singing 'There is Sunshine in My Soul Today!'" We laughed and then President Weston said, "I know our Sisters in Green Valley and Bass Lake, and I think their hearts are singing, 'There is Sunshine in My Soul Today!'" I gasped and said, "Wow, he is good!" haha It's true! When you are serving the Lord, it is hard not to have sunshine in your soul. 
Another funny story from Zone Conference. President Willy-Wonka asked the missionaries how to gain member's trust. I stood up and said, "You actually need to listen to what they are saying and then remember it and talk to them about it next time. If they tell you about their grandson's baptism, follow up with them the next time you see them and ask how the baptism went. And learn the names of their pets. If you remember their dog's name, they'll love you forever." Everybody busted up laughing, but it's true! President Willy-Wonka then said, "That is a VERY good point, Sister Burchett. What are Sister Kuzco’s dogs' names?" I said, "Mozzy and Sophie!" And everyone laughed again. This isn't missionary work. This is missionary fun! (but it's definitely work too haha) 
This is Moe, Larry, and Curly from my singles ward in the
conference issue of the Ensign. I was flipping through and
thought, wait a minute, I KNOW THOSE GUYS!
Well, that's about it for this week. Things are busy busy. I guess that's what happens when the Lord hastens His work. I have a testimony of missionary work and this restored gospel. It changes lives and it is the only way we can return to our Father in Heaven. 
Do Good Things! 

Love, 
Sister Burchett 


Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Sacramento - Week 15

Due to the new security measures requested by the Mission leaders, the names of all investigators and people that Sarah comes into contact with will be replaced with the name of a well-known character from a children’s movie. This will keep the identities of people safe as well as make it easier to keep everyone straight. The name given is in NO WAY intended to reflect the personality, looks, or circumstances of the individual(s).


“God has not ceased to be a God of Miracles”
Monday May 6, 2013


Miracles happen everyone! I have been thinking about them all week and it was so cool to get on my email and start to type this letter and then see that my cousin, Heath, also wrote all about miracles this week. It must just be a week of miracles for everyone, probably because every week is a week of miracles if you are looking for them! I also have to thank Heath for the reminder to shout out to Garrett Tenney for his birthday. Garrett Fisher Tenney put your hands in the air! Happy Birthday cousin! 
Ok, now on to the miracles. This week we added.....2 new investigators! We also have a baptism on May 18th! Mary Poppins is getting baptized! She will be the first baptism in Green Valley in over 6 months. We've also seen record highs in teaching in Green Valley. (When we sent in our numbers for the week, our district leader, Elder Morley, called us and said "Sisters, did you type in your member present lessons right?" We said, "Yes!" He said, "Wow. Awesome. Ok. I'll talk to you about it later....Wow." haha) The Lord has been with us and provided miracles all along our way. I was reading Mormon 9 during personal study this week and it was all about how God has not ceased to be a God of miracles. I know that is true. 
So details: 
First off Mary Poppins. We taught her the Restoration on Friday. Her fiancĂ©e was there too and helped teach. The spirit was awesome as we talked about how Christ's church has been restored on the earth and about the Book of Mormon. We challenged her to read the Book of Mormon and to be baptized on the 18th. We were shooting for the 25th, but she is busy that weekend, so we just pushed it back a week. Its gonna be kind of quick teaching her, but she is so ready and open that it shouldn't be a problem. She really wants to know if what she is doing is right. Which leads to the second miracle with her. She came to church on Sunday and we were following up on her commitment to read the Book of Mormon. Well, she read it. All of it. And the Doctrine and Covenants. And the Pearl of Great Price. All of it. In less than 48 hours. MIRACLE! We taught her the Plan of Salvation today and she loved it. 
Our 2 new investigators are Wendy and Tiger Lilly. Wendy was a referral from Sister Cullen. We went over and she said, "Yes, I have a lot of questions about your church. First off, I'm going to need a Book of Mormon..." Her father was a Church of Christ minister, and she grew up basically believing that Mormons were a cult. She told us though, that throughout her life she has been feeling like people have been planting seeds with her. She knows lots of Mormons and loves the people. She said she feels like there is more out there than what she has in the Bible and she wants to know everything. We are supposed to go back and teach her this week and we are very excited. 
Tiger Lilly is a referral from the Romanov family. Sister Roberts took their daughter Anastasia tracting on an exchange and Anastasia used to babysit for Tiger Lilly. Tiger Lilly is really seeking and loves the idea that families are forever and that we can become like God one day. We should see her this week as well. We only hope and pray and have faith that they are both as truly seeking as they seem and that they will be open to our message. Miracle. 
Onto another miracle: The Oompa-Loompa family. 
They are a part member less active family. She is a less active and he is not a member. They're the one who own the little cafe we love so much. Well, they needed some help moving new furniture into the store and painting this weekend. The ward rallied and had a whole group ready to go, but then some legal stuff came up and they had to postpone the project. They were so grateful for the amount of people and missionaries that were willing to come and help them, even though we didn't actually get to do anything yet. I was talking with Brother O and he told me, "For the first time I don't feel like religion is being shoved down my throat. I feel like I am being loved and let to make my own decisions about my faith." I talked to him about faith and how God takes what little faith we have, even if it is only a desire to believe [Alma 32:37] and sanctifies and blesses us and helps our faith to grow. I shared with him the story of the man who brings his only son to Jesus and pleads for him to be healed. [Mark 9 and from Elder Holland’s talk in General Conference] "Have compassion on us." the man says. I have always loved this story because the Father doesn't say, have compassion on my son, but have compassion on us. The affliction his son was suffering was a cause for the whole family to need healing and faith. The Lord tells him that all things are possible if he believes. The man says, "Lord I believe. Help thou mine unbelief." The Lord took that man's desire to believe and it was enough to heal his son. 
That night we had dinner with the Oompa-Loompa’s and Brother O showed me how he had downloaded the Book of Mormon onto his phone. He told me, "I read for 5 minutes today, and that's a start." Faith brings miracle, and faith is always a miracle. 
The Lord also provides miraculous ways to teach people. The other night we got home and Sister Roberts wanted to take a quick lap around the street to get some fresh air. As we walked, there was one house where the man and woman were outside drinking some wine and saw us coming. They proceeded to go into their house, shut the garage and act like they were not at home, thinking we were out tracting. I thought it was funny, but Sister Roberts was a bit offended. I told her to get used to it haha. Well, a few days later the people we live with picked up a stray cat that had wandered into the garage. The next day Sister Roberts and I were doing our morning walk and we saw signs for the lost cat. We took the number home and called the people to come and get "Socks". When the woman showed up to pick him up, it was the same woman who had hid from us! We were wearing our exercise clothes but we still had our badges on and we were able to teach her about missionaries. It was awesome! Maybe now, she won't hide from the missionaries when they come to her door. Miracle.
Another fun way we got to teach a lesson: We came out of a member's house from dinner and there was a boy outside whose electric airplane was stuck in their tree. We started to help him and his dad to get it out. The members helped too and we were able to talk about what we do as missionaries to them and give them some good face time and a good impression of missionaries. Planting seeds. It's what it is all about. Miracle.
Well, the time is far spent. I am grateful for a Savior who makes it possible for me to return to my Heavenly Father one day. I am grateful for the opportunity to preach His gospel, and I am grateful that God has not ceased to be a God of miracles. 

Love, 
Sister Burchett



Monday, May 20, 2013

Sacramento - Week 14

Due to the new security measures requested by the Mission leaders, the names of all investigators and people that Sarah comes into contact with will be replaced with the name of a well-known character from a children’s movie. This will keep the identities of people safe as well as make it easier to keep everyone straight. The name given is in NO WAY intended to reflect the personality, looks, or circumstances of the individual(s).

Tina sent me this cute plaque for my Birthday!
And the lemons are from a member's house.
I told them I had never seen a lemon tree before
and so they sent us outside to pick some.


_______________________________________________________________________
“And they shall call her name Mary Poppins…”
Monday April 29, 2013


WE FINALLY ADDED A NEW INVESTIGATOR!!!!!!!! 

Her name is Mary Poppins. And she is a miracle. Remember how last week we were going to hand her over to the Zone Leaders? Well, after meeting her and finding out she is planning on getting married this summer, we decided we needed to keep her as our investigator and not hand her over to the YSAs. She came to church on Sunday for all 3 hours and afterwards we asked her, "How do you feel?" She said, "I just feel really good." So I asked her if she wanted to take the missionary lessons. She said yes. I was about to commit her to baptism when she said, "And I've never been baptized, but that is something I really want to do. Can I do that?" I said, "uh....yeah!" She is praying about a specific date but knows she wants to be baptized before she leaves for basic training in August. It just goes to show that even when you think there is no hope for an area, there is somebody out there. No effort is wasted. 
Daphne finally set a baptismal date! April 27th...2014. (What?!) So that's her birthday and she wants her baptism to be a "literal re-birth" on her birthday. Now, obviously she will be getting baptized way before then, God willing. But, it is a BIG deal that she has set and committed to a date, even though that date is currently a year from now. Now that she has made that commitment, we can work and moving that date closer and helping her feel ready for baptism. 
We had a really cool experience this week. Our ward missionary, Sister Cullen, has all these little girls from her apartment complex over all the time. They call her and her husband grandma and grandpa. Two of the girls in particular are interested in the church. So, we go over and play piano with them and share a scripture story a couple of times a week (have I told you about this already? If so, skip to the good part, which is...now.) We had a movie night with them this week and we watched "The Testaments". They loved it and it opened them up to a lot of questions about Christ and the Book of Mormon. Most of the girls didn't know much at all about Jesus Christ and it was amazing to watch them realize what he had done for them, even if they didn't fully understand it. 
Sister Roberts and I out to lunch at Arby's with members
I never cease to be amazed at the youth of the church. We got to teach the 12 and 13 year old Sunday school class yesterday. We were talking about the Apostasy and the Restoration, but they started asking some really good questions about the second coming like "Will that be in our lifetime?" and "What will it be like when Jesus comes again?" We turned to 3 Nephi 11 and read about when Christ appeared to the Nephites. They heard a voice from heaven and then they saw Christ descend. My favorite part is when Christ had the people come one by one and feel the prints in his hands and feet and the hole in his side. Every person there, and there were about 2,500 people, got their own one on one moment with the Savior. I told the class, "I like to think that when he comes again it will be something like that. We will all get to have our moment with the Savior, and then He will teach us and give us guidance. We don't have to fear the second coming, because we know that Christ will always win. We just have to make sure that we are on the Lord's side when He comes." I don't know about y'all, but when the Savior comes, I'd like Him to catch me doing something good for somebody else. 
We visited two elderly less actives this week that really stuck out to me. Sister White and Brother Lancelot. Sister White is nearly 90 and blind. She used to be a very accomplished artist and pianist. We went and I played piano for her. Her first name is Snow and her favorite piano piece is Fur Elise and Rock of Ages. I was playing them for her and I just kept thinking about how hard that would be! I don't know what I would do if I couldn't play anymore! It hurts my soul just thinking about it, but I do know that if that day ever comes, I hope there is a girl who will come and play the piano for me. 
Brother Lancelot is an 84 year old widower. He lives alone and just really loves visitors. I hope I die before whoever that man is that marries me, because I would HATE being alone like that. Again, if that ever happens though, I hope there are people to visit me, because I can't take the silence. Remember the elderly everyone! 
The Zone Leaders Car
The Activity Days girls in the Cameron Park and Rescue wards made us gift bags full of treats and goodies and gave them to us. Lots of fun. My favorite item was a roll of toilet paper. Sister Roberts and I just used the toilet paper to TP the Zone Leaders car. Good times. 
We had an all Sisters conference call for the mission this week that was pretty cool. I got to talk to Sister Hale and Sister Loli before it started. I got to see Sister Hale this week because she was on exchange up here, and I get to see Loli tomorrow at New Missionary Meeting. I am so excited! I miss that Samoan.  
Well, I think that's about it. I've got to go help the other convince Elder Finnerty to go get stitches for the chin he just busted open while we were playing indoor hockey. Ironically enough the chin didn't get split open because of the hockey, but because of an unrelated game of leaping onto the stage and sliding like a penguin. Elders. Can't live with 'em, Can't live without 'em, and love 'em like brothers. 
Have a wonderful week! I love you and I know this gospel and this church is true! 
Sister Burchett


I forgot to mention Mormon Helping Hands!
We did a service project at the local elementary school on Saturday :)

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Sacramento - Week 13

Due to the new security measures requested by the Mission leaders, the names of all investigators and people that Sarah comes into contact with will be replaced with the name of a well-known character from a children’s movie. This will keep the identities of people safe as well as make it easier to keep everyone straight. The name given is in NO WAY intended to reflect the personality, looks, or circumstances of the individual(s).

“Wait, people still get engaged? Missions make you forget.”
Monday April 22, 2013


Two of my dear friends back home, Ariana Vierra and Keyan Cluff are getting married! Not to each other. Separately. Like two separate but equal weddings haha. Congratulations to them both! It's weird getting those emails and realizing that life is still going on outside of the California Sacramento Mission. 
I got my pictures in the mail finally! Thanks! They are great and the Doolittle’s loved seeing the animals and the farm. 

What exactly happened in West? I haven't heard anything but some Elder told me today there was some sort of explosion??? 
Could you send me some more Texas flag stickers? I have two left and that makes me sad haha 
Congratulations to Bridie on making regionals! Whoo hoo! Those are blessings from me being on a mission :) just kidding 
James, you procrastinator. Never procrastinate the day of your repentance or the day of your social studies project, especially when it is on some random country like Cameroon. Where is that anyways? Africa? Love you!
My week has been CRAZY AND EXHAUSTING which as a missionary translates into a GREAT WEEK! 
We have been trying to adjust to our new living situation. I'm still waiting for news that we are moving back to Green Valley, but it has yet to come. Hence, I have yet to unpack. The Barney’s told us that they only have one complaint and that is that we don't eat a proper breakfast "A bagel is not a breakfast!" We try to explain to them that we get fed huge dinners and by morning we are pretty much still full so a bagel is all we need and then we have an early lunch. They don't buy that. The other morning they literally sat us down and force fed us bacon and eggs and toast (after I had already had a bagel by the way) I felt so sick and couldn't help but think, "You can't kill the old people. You can't kill the old people." It's a test of my patience and charity since I just want to scream "I'm 20 years old! I have been living on my own for 3 years! I can feed myself!" But then I remind myself that I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, and if Christ were there he would sit and eat in silence with a big smile on his face, so grateful for their love and affection. And so, the bacon I did eat. 
Our big open house is over! It was a great success and everything turned out lovely. We had about 50-60 non-members come through which is amazing! We also had a miracle: 
A few weeks ago we contacted a friend of a recent convert at General Conference. Her name is Mary Poppins and she lives in Green Valley. We wanted her to come to the open house so we stopped by to give her an invite. Her mom was home and told us she wasn't and kindly blew us off. Marry Poppins didn't have a cell phone yet so we had no other way to contact her. We were setting up for the open house and a brother from another ward said, "Sister Burchett, I have a number for you. I talked to this girl at the Shell and she said to tell you she can't make it today but to give her a call." It was Mary Poppins! We called her and set up an appointment with her for tomorrow morning. She told us this is the last Sunday she will have to work so she can come to church and "I really need that." The sad thing is though, that she is a YSA (Young Single Adult) and would be attending the YSA ward so we have to turn her over the Zone Leaders to teach. I should be used to this by now, because every investigator we have found besides Daphne we have had to give to someone else. One day, the Lord will bless me with one I can keep, but until then as long as they are being taught and truly converted, it doesn't matter who teaches them. 
Daphne is ready to set a baptismal date! We JUST found out. She has been having a rough week with her new medication and hasn't been totally coherent, but President Willy-Wonka (our stake president and the one who referred her) just talked to her and she told him she was ready to set a date, that she needed the missionaries and the church more than ever, and that she was ready to make these changes in her life! THIS IS A MIRACLE! HALLELUJAH! 

We also had President's interviews this week. I think I was a pretty boring interview because I had no questions, no complaints, no concerns. I just wanted to know when we were going to be done so I could go back to work. I think this pleased him and perturbed him all at the same time. I love to give President Skywalker a jokingly hard time when I can. Some many of the missionaries are so formal with him that it hurts my soul. So I try to sneak in a few jokes when I can. 
Now a side note about my apron: When I packed for my mission, I threw in the apron that I have had since I struck out on my own in the world 3 years ago. That apron has seen so many dinners, and parties and batches of chocolate cookies meant for everything from congratulations to consolations to repentance. Where better for it to continue its service than on my mission? Ever since I got out, everybody always teases me "You brought your apron...that's weird" but they always eat their words when situations arise when an apron is needed, and in my things that very apron is found. Thanks to my Papa who taught me "I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it." 
I also am grateful for all the years spent driving me to piano lessons. I got to use my skills again this week at activity days, where I played Disney songs at each girls request and we sang and sang and sang. It was a blast and there were lots of non-members there that got great face time and heart time with the missionaries. Planting those seeds! 
Sister Doolittle and I decided we really missed Sister Loli's ukelele playing, so Sister Doolittle gave me an extra uke that was lying around the house and commanded me to learn to play. So I am struggling, but I can pretty much play "God Be With You Till We Meet Again". 
That's it from Green Valley this week. Keep your chins up and keep smiling because the gospel of Jesus Christ is rolling forth! No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing! And that's a pretty amazing promise. 
Love, 

Sister Burchett
PS I left my camera in the other Sisters car so no pics this week :( Next week! 
______________________________________________________________________

FOR A LAUGH ~ 

Every week our mission President sends out an email to all the missionaries called the Sac Spirit. It's like a newsletter with different information etc. Well this week it said: 

Weight Watching:  Most of us must watch our waistlines by being careful about what and how much we eat.  It can be very difficult to keep your weight in check when members feed you large meals every evening and especially when dessert is served with the meal.  Some have found it advantageous to mark “no desserts please” on the missionary dinner calendar sign-up sheet as a way to politely ask members to eliminate this temptation.   You will want your family to recognize you when you return home following your mission.
President H. Benson Skywalker, Brothers and Sisters. Cracking us up without meaning to since 2010.




Friday, May 17, 2013

Sacramento - Week 12


***PUBLISHER'S NOTE: 
Apologies to all of ya'll who have been anxiously awaiting an update on Sarah's mission. I just completed 4 straight days of state testing/finals/AP testing so these past few weeks I have been busily studying for those tests as well as feverishly trying to complete the homework over the last minute things our teachers had to teach us all while trying to balance my already crazy hectic life. Needless to say, her blog kind of accidently got put on the back burner, but now that testing is all over I will be hurriedly trying to post and catch you guys up to date :)
Thank you for your understanding and patience,
Bridie
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Due to the new security measures requested by the Mission leaders, the names of all investigators and people that Sarah comes into contact with will be replaced with the name of a well-known character from a children’s movie. This will keep the identities of people safe as well as make it easier to keep everyone straight. The name given is in NO WAY intended to reflect the personality, looks, or circumstances of the individual(s).


“Training, a whole new world”
Monday April 15, 2013




First off, I just heard about the Boston Marathon. Let me know what else happens. I hate not knowing and having the news to stay updated. I got to email Lisa though and make sure her family that was there was all ok and they were so close to it but they are all ok now! Thank goodness! My prayers go out to the families and the people of Boston. What a difficult time for our country. It's a crazy world we live in and it only opens my eyes more to how much people need the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This week has been crazy! If you can't tell by the fact that my P-day is almost over and I am just now getting to email. So much has happened that I am just going to start at the beginning and work through the week. 
Left ---> Right:  Sis. Roberts, Me, Sis. Hale,
Sis. Loli, Sis. Loli's new companion
(Sarah did not provide us w/ a caption, sorry
for not knowing Sis. Loli's new companion's name!)
First, Wednesday we all drove down to the mission office to have Sister Hale meet her new companion, and for Sister Loli and me to be trained and pick up our new companions. We were late, because we had to pack up EVERYTHING we owned before we left because the new Elders were moving in. We were up so late the night before and I was so extremely exhausted. But, I put a big grin on my face because I did not want my new companion's first impression of me to be, "Great, I got the exhausted grouchy and disheveled looking trainer." When they had her open her call and they announced I would be training her, I bounced right up and hugged her and smiled and laughed and totally faked it till I made it haha. 

My new companion is Sister Roberts from St. George Utah. She is super sweet and enthusiastic about the work. She was kind of appalled when we went to the Doolittle’s, loaded up my luggage, took it to the Barney’s, dropped it off, and went to work, but we had work to do! I told her that we have goals that we have set and each of those goals is people that the Lord needs us to see, and every night I have to give the Lord an accounting of how we did and there is nothing I hate more than having to say that I didn't do my very best to meet that goal and see those people. So off we went. 
Sister Loli's Desk?
(No caption provided in Sarah's email)
Training is a really humbling experience. I can literally feel the weight of it on my shoulders. I realize that everything I do and teach effects the rest of Sister Robert's mission and that scares the living daylights out of me. I keep reminding myself that any fear is opposed to faith, and whom the Lord calls He qualifies. It just brings to light everything I need to be better at and the things I need to let go to fully devote myself to the work. I've really been concentrating on the phrase in my call letter that says "Leaving behind all other personal affairs." As I've tried to focus solely on my purpose as a missionary, I have seen blessings and miracles. It's awesome because this is the only time in my life where I get to focus 100% on something and know the Lord will handle all the rest! 
The Barney’s are 80 and 86. They are a nice older couple with two cats. We love it there, but it is so far away from our area that they are trying to find us a place to live that is actually in our area. I feel like I should put a sign on my back that says "Free to a good home." It just hurts my soul as we drive 20 minutes to the Stake center to see the Lord's miles just ticking steadily away. 
We've been seeing lots of miracles as we try our best to accomplish our goals each day. It seems like if we are doing everything we can, the Lord always provides a way for us to achieve our goals and see the people He needs us to see. 

Sister Roberts got to teach her first lesson this week to a co-worker of Brother Popeye’s. We taught the Restoration and she did great. We had role-played it in companionship study and taught a practice lesson to members but she was still SO nervous. When she started to share the Joseph Smith story she was talking so fast and stumbling over her words and I knew she was terrified. I just prayed to Heavenly Father to help her remember the things we had practiced and to have faith not fear. It was like you could see the peace of God come over her and she was able to testify with power. It was amazing! There is power in companions who pray for each other during lessons instead of worrying about what they will say next. A prayer in your heart is a powerful tool. She was so happy after the investigators left, that she was dancing around their living room. Not exactly the picture of quiet dignity, but since it was her first lesson, we'll let it slide. 
Just a quick thought about how no good deed is wasted. We were driving down the street after service and there was a little boy selling lemonade. We had already driven past, but Sister Roberts really wanted lemonade so we circled around and went back. We bought some lemonade and I started talking to the little boy. I asked if his family went to church on Sundays. He said, "No, but I really want to. My friends all go to church." I gave him a mormon.org card with the church's address and meeting times written on the back and told him to give it to his parents. Nothing may come of that contact while I am here, but maybe one day down the road when he has a family of his own and two missionaries knock on his door, he will remember the nice sister missionaries who stopped at his lemonade stand and let them in. You can never estimate the ripple effect of one good deed, one good interaction with a faithful member of the Lord's restored church. 
So now for the reason I am writing so late: Yesterday, Daphne came to church and right before the opening song she had some sort of attack. She acted really weird and then just asked me to take her to the foyer. I took her outside and she started explaining her symptoms to me. I ran back inside where they were now singing the opening hymn and grabbed Sister Doolittle and Sister Happyfeet, who is a nurse. We all determined that Daphne needed to go to the hospital and get checked out so Sister Doolittle drove Daphne and Sister Roberts and I to Placerville to the hospital. They got her checked in and determined that it was the beginning of a stroke! They got her stabilized and kept her overnight. Today we were busy getting things ready for her to come home and picking her up from the hospital. She's going to be ok, but in a weird way that experience was a total miracle. If she hadn't come to church, the stroke would've happened at home where she is all alone and she wouldn't have gone to the hospital. It would have gotten worse and she would have had nobody there to help. She could have died, but because she chose to come to church, she had an army of people on her side watching out for her. And therein lies the lesson to one and all, go to church. It saves your soul and it could save your mortal life as well! 
We placed a Book of Mormon in the Chapel
at the hospital while we were waiting for Daphne
So that's life from Green Valley. We are working hard and seeing miracles. Our big open house is the weekend and we are in crunch time pulling things together. I have faith that all the effort will be worth it and miracles will happen because of it. I love it here and I am so grateful to serve as a missionary for my Lord and Savior. 

Love y'all

Sister Burchett